“THE NET laughs”. Who is ‘THE NET’?
By M.-L.
@MALUSE (69378)
Germany
June 24, 2019 3:02pm CST
When I switch on my computer and open the internet, I see general news provided by yahoo on world politics, local news, celebrity gossip someone at the German branch of yahoo headquarters thinks I may be interested in, I often find comments on funny, surprising or shocking news beginning with the words, “THE NET laughs/is surprised/shocked about . . .”
In the case of the above photo THE NET is ‘divided’ / ‘isn’t sure what to make of’ this bikini. Is it funny or not?
THE NET? Who is THE NET? Let’s do something for your further education in the field of literary terminology. The term we can use here is anthropomorphism (anthropos, Greek: human; morphe, Greek: form)
(Merriam-Webster dictionary) “an interpretation of what is not human or personal in terms of human or personal characteristics. Another term is humanisation.“
So, the next time you read that THE NET does something it logically can’t do because THE NET is not a human being, you know that you’ve come across a case of anthropomorphism.
It is possible that you’ve never wanted to know this and that you’re sure you’ll be able to lead a fulfilled life without this information. Well, this may be the case just as I am leading a fulfilled life without the information which constantly floods THE NET on what people had for breakfast.
So there.
Btw, I find the photo funny.
12 people like this
12 responses
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
24 Jun 19
I find the photo more "interesting" than funny. I see the humor but it is pretty tacky in my opinion.
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
25 Jun 19
@MALUSE the fact that the top looks like hands, I have no problem with a bikini, it looks and fits her well, it is the fingers that are not classy.
@MALUSE (69378)
• Germany
28 Jun 19
@BelleStarr Maybe not classy, but funny. Classy and funny rarely go together.
1 person likes this
@xFiacre (12767)
• Ireland
24 Jun 19
@maluse So is referring to a car as ‘she’ an example of anthropomorphism, since mechanical objects have no human attributes such as gender? I suppose this covers also such utterances as ‘The European Union says’ since the EU is an institution and not a being capable of speech. Anthropomorphism is a big word for this time of night.
@LindaOHio (170643)
• United States
24 Jun 19
The bikini is funny. I'm with Deborah. I'd have to smack the Net upside the head.
@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
25 Jun 19
I find the photo funny too so you are not alone! I am surprised I have lived so long without being concerned about anthropomorphism.
@JudyEv (334367)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 Jun 19
I think it's funny. If someone talks about 'the Net' then to a degree they're disassociating themselves from it. Or they can disassociate themselves if they find they're in the minority and they'd rather be in the majority.
